In the novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, what does ''to the everlasting credit of district 12'' mean in Chapter Two?

In the novel The Hunger Gamesby Suzanne Collins, this phrase, "to the everlasting credit of district 12," happens in Chapter Two when Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place as the tribute from district 12 for the Hunger Games in the Capitol. Because the title "tribute" most often means death for the participant, volunteers are very rare. Katniss volunteers in front of a huge crowd, and the Capitol representative, Effie Trinket, says, "Let's...

In the novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, this phrase, "to the everlasting credit of district 12," happens in Chapter Two when Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place as the tribute from district 12 for the Hunger Games in the Capitol. Because the title "tribute" most often means death for the participant, volunteers are very rare. Katniss volunteers in front of a huge crowd, and the Capitol representative, Effie Trinket, says, "Let's give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!" to the crowd of district 12 people. Knowing that district 12 has had only two winners in 74 years, the people are sure that Katniss has just sentenced herself to death to save her sister. There is also an overwhelming resentment of the government which does this year after year, broadcasts it on tv, and shows the districts the Capitol's power to do anything to them without them being able to resist. For respect at Katniss's decision and resentment of the all-controlling government, the crowd stays silent in protest because applause would mean their approval. This is a silent rebellion against the "games" and the government's control. The crowd is risking a backlash from the government because of its silence, but they do it anyway "to their everlasting credit" or to their taking the risk despite the punishment it may bring them.

Those two words, "everlasting credit" simply mean that Katniss is saying that despite the danger, the people don't clap and that they should get "never ending (which is the everlasting part) praise and approval (which is the credit part)" for doing something so dangerous in the face of the government. So therefore, translate "everlasting credit" to "never ending praise and approval." I hope this makes Collins intentions clearer to you when she uses this phrase at this point in the story.

Don't worry about asking for a further explanation of something which isn't clear to you in an answer. That's what enotes is for--to help you understand.